Boys and Girls Club reopens Friday

April 01, 2005|By JUDY D.J. ELLICH, Daily American Staff Writer

Boys and Girls Club of Somerset County's roots teemed with life once again Friday evening.

Teens hovered over pool sticks, walloped balls back and forth across a table tennis net and chattered with each other while sprawled across cushy, stuffed chairs and couches in front of a big-screen television.

A steady hum permeated the various rooms in the teen club as conversations blended together and excitement ran rampant while the cold rain pelted on the dark streets outside.

Since last fall, teens have asked repeatedly of the youth development program board members when the Boys and Girls Club teen center was going to reopen.

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They got their answer last night. The Club Down Under, the initial home of the Boys and Girls Club of Somerset County, officially reopened.

"We want the teens to know we are as good as our word," said Pamela Tokar-Ickes, chief volunteer officer of Boys and Girls Club of Somerset County Inc.

Many teens could not be more pleased.

"I was here around Christmas two years ago," said Kiya Mielnik, 12. "I'm very, very excited about it (the club) being open. I mostly like using the computers. But, I used to be really good at pool."

She said she is trying to get more of her friends to join her.

The organization's primary mission is to assure and enhance the quality of life for boys and girls ages 6-18.

To accomplish this mission, the organization provides services, based youth development strategies, which promote health, social, educational, vocational, character and leadership development.

Boys and Girls Club provides positive constructive activities for kids, according to Susan Hankinson, chief professional officer.

A small group of parents, community residents and board members started the club about six years ago, said Program Director Karen Gibson last fall. The official charter with Boys and Girls Club of America wasn't obtained until last summer.

The club in the Lions Club Building, located at 357 West Fairview St., is for children age 7 to 12. The Club Down Under is for teens age 13 to 18.

Both sites run simultaneously. Hence, the desperate need for more volunteers.

The lack of volunteers was why the Club Down Under shifted operations to the Lions Building last fall. Now, the youth organization plans to open the teen-oriented site every other Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. By the end of the school year, staff and board members hope to also open the center a few afternoons a week.

"The vision of our organization is to use the Boys and Girls Club of Somerset County, Somerset location as a hub and expand the organization's youth development programming to every school district in the county, Tokar-Ickes said in an earlier interview.

The organization partners with other youth-oriented local organizations, she said at The Club Down Under's reopening.